Mexico City, Mexico – Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election by a landslide, and as the US prepares for Trump’s second term, leaders in Latin America are reacting to his return.
The leader of Latin America’s largest economy, Brazil’s Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his election through his X account, defending American democracy.
“My congratulations to President Donald Trump on his election victory and return to the presidency of the United States. Democracy is the voice of the people and must always be respected. The world needs dialogue and joint efforts to achieve more peace, development and prosperity. I wish success and success to the new government”, wrote Lula.
Amassing 312 electoral college votes and over 75 million popular votes, Trump not only defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, but became the first Republican to win the popular vote in 20 years.
Through X, Peruvian presidential offices congratulated Trump on behalf of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, underscoring the need for closer ties with Washington.
“The President of Peru, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, congratulates candidate Donald Trump for the victory in the democratic process held yesterday in the United States of America. We are confident that during his tenure, the strong strategic relations between our countries in areas such as investment, trade and other important sectors will continue to deepen and expand,” said the statement in X.
Similarly, Gabriel Boric of Chile also shared a friendly and direct message with Trump via X.
“We congratulate the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. Chile reaffirms its commitment to strengthen relations with the United States in favor of inclusive development, respect for human rights and the protection of democracy in our region. We continue to work for the well-being of our people”, Boric wrote.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his support for Trump. In an apparently cautious tone, the leftist leader urged Trump to end economic blockades against countries in South America and end the genocide in Gaza.
“The American people have spoken and their decision is respected. Congratulations to Trump on his victory. North-South dialogue remains important and the reality of climate collapse will direct the focus towards its resolution. The only way to secure the borders is through the prosperity of the southern peoples and the end of the blockades. The progressive opportunity in the US could not applaud the genocide in Gaza”, writes Petro in X.
While Petro has been a vocal critic of Israel’s year-long war against Hamas in Palestine, Trump has been outspoken in his support for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, going so far as to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017.
In a warmer tone and the only congratulatory message written in English, President Javier Milei of Argentina hailed Trump’s victory, pledging that his government would carry forward Trump’s efforts.
“Congratulations on your extraordinary election victory. Now, make America great again. You know you can count on Argentina to do your job. Success and blessings. Hello, Javier Milei,” wrote the libertarian president on X.
Venezuela’s government also congratulated Trump, despite ongoing friction and even alleged threats of military intervention during Trump’s first administration. Venezuela’s presidential offices said they were open to a good relationship with Washington.
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela congratulates the people of the United States of America for the presidential elections held on November 5, 2024 and President-elect Donald J. Trump for his victory in this process. “Venezuela will always be ready to establish good relations with the American government, framed in the spirit of dialogue, respect and reason,” the statement said.
Regarding Mexico, the US’s main trading partner, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum refrained from immediately congratulating Trump on his victory, mirroring the same foreign policy of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who refrained from congratulating President Joe Biden in 2020 for more than 30 days.
However, as US authorities officially named Trump as the winner of the presidential election, the Mexican president went to X to congratulate her American counterpart.
“I express my sincere congratulations to Donald Trump, who emerged as the winner of the United States presidential election. On behalf of Mexico, we thank the American people for their democratic exercise during the electoral process. I am convinced that we will continue to work together in a coordinated manner, with dialogue and respect for our sovereignties, to advance the broad bilateral agenda that connects us”, she wrote.
Earlier in the day, the Mexican leader addressed potential concerns stemming from trade threats and Trump’s campaign promises of mass deportations and the complete closure of their shared border.
“There is no reason to worry. For our countrymen and compatriots, for their relatives who are here, for Mexican businessmen and businesswomen, there is no reason for concern. Mexico always comes out ahead,” she said.
